Workers at St John’s Hospital say it’s only a matter of time before someone is attacked after being told to walk 15 minutes to park their cars.

Some members of staff will now not be able to use the hospital’s car park and have been told to leave their cars at Livingston Football Club instead and walk to work.

But one woman who was turned away before her shift started said it leaves staff open to attacks, especially on dark mornings during the winter and at night.

NHS Lothian said the decision had been made to provide adequate parking for patients and visitors and a deal had been struck with the football club to allow 60 members of staff to park there.

But the hospital worker, who asked not to be named, said: “I turned up for my shift just after 7am with another member of staff and we were turned away with no warning and told to park at the football club.

“I’m concerned about walking that path on my own in the dark, and I know others are too. It’s quite secluded and leaves us open to being attacked.”

An NHS Lothian spokesperson said staff are allocated parking passes on their specific need through a points system. Nobody living within 1.5 miles of the hospital is given a permit unless they meet the other criteria, such as ill health and there are around 700 spaces for staff at the hospital.

Danny Gillan, head of catering and logistics services at NHS Lothian, said: “NHS Lothian has an obligation to provide adequate car parking spaces for patients and visitors at all of our hospital sites. It is essential that parking spaces intended for the use of patients are being used appropriately.

“We are aware that this often isn’t the case in the main car park at St John’s Hospital and patients and visitors find it very difficult to obtain a space at certain times during the day.

“We have taken steps to address this issue which include closing the main car park overnight and reopening it at 8am during weekdays ensuring that it is not being used by drivers arriving before patients are required to attend hospital.

“We have also agreed a three month trial which will see 60 permits for off-site car parking spaces created for staff at Livingston Football Stadium.

“Attending hospital can often be a stressful time and we hope that by taking these measures will ensure a better experience for all patients and visitors attending the hospital.”